Follow Your Heart

Six months ago, Chris Hatchett and I embarked on an adventure. 

We barely knew each other. 

We had met only once—at an event at the TCL Chinese Theatres two months prior.

Both of us were hustling to find our way in this “new” Hollywood. 

Everything was shifting and traditional work was scarce. Many of my colleagues were lost and still searching for their new path. 

I had found mine…I just needed some traction. 

I wanted to use my decades of experience producing television to help and support content creators with a vision and a message but lack the skills to get it done or grow their reach. 

And I wanted to do it with kindness and joy.

I was in the middle of that search for the “right creator” when I met Chris. 

Chris and I are not the same. 

We think differently.

We work differently.

We have different interests…and thus different strengths. 

The one thing that we had in common? Texas.

While I’d gone to high school in Houston, some of my happiest memories are from my time spent at the University of North Texas, where I went to study music, then journalism. That’s where I joined my college ultimate frisbee team, performed in the marching band, DJ’d at our radio station, reported for the school paper, and where I met my husband. 

Denton, Texas represents happiness, independence and maturity. 

And Chris, who now lives in Seattle, was actually an Aggie—Texas A&M grad for those who don’t know—born in San Antonio and raised in Fort Worth. So, we suddenly had a lot in common. 

The more we talked, the more we realized that while we had very different interests, skills and knowledge…what we shared were common values.

And to me, values like respect, honesty and kindness are much more important. 

So, when Chris introduced me to his buddy, Erik Lavigne, a police sergeant and a podcaster in Fort Worth, Texas, it was a perfect match. 

Erik was on a mission to break down walls between law enforcement and the communities they serve by providing truth and transparency.

Here was someone who was trying to make our world a better place.

We moved quickly—not because we had to, but because it felt right. 

I met Chris in November. 

I met Erik in December. 

In January, we started building a platform to help Erik amplify his message. 

In March, we created DTV (The Donut).

Today Erik is more than just a client, he’s our partner in DTV…and we’re about to film his first “TV show.” 

When things are meant to be, it can happen quickly and easily…it just has to align with who you are on the inside. 

Don’t think about WHAT you want to do as much as how you want to FEEL while you’re doing it. And then see what happens. 

Chris Hatchett and Paulina Williams at the FYC screening party for "Landman." 2025